Actually, I think this is a good day for the Sonics. Payton was bolting after this year anyway, so you get an All-Star that is 7 years younger who isn't going to be a free agent for him.Plus, they stole Elden Campbell for Kenny Anderson.

The only military skill provided by the French is demonstrating the methods of surrendering.

I have to agree that the Sonics did good. They got two starters and while they gave up Payon he was bolting after this year.

Campbell has had some really good years in Charlotte, about 7 rebounds 12 points per year. But that was against mostly East Coast teams. His numbers have dropped this year though and since New Orleans has Jamal Magloire now, Campbell was expendable. Either way though he's better than whoever the Sonics have at center currently and they didn't give up much to get him.

Count me in among those who think Seattle made a good trade, for the same reason: Payton's impending free agency and the fact that Allen is just now in the prime of his career while Payton is soon going to be getting progressively worse. It was a very difficult decision to trade their superstar, particularly after 12-and-a-half years on the team, but I daresay Seattle may wind up getting the best of this deal. Particularly if Payton doesn't re-sign with the Bucks in the offseason.

Desmond Mason is an intriguing acquisition by Milwaukee, though-- a great coup in his own right, or so I've been told. I've watched precious few Sonics games this year, I'm afraid.

As a Pacers fan, I'm glad that we didn't trade to get Payton (especially because the Sonics weren't gonna give him up unless we gave them Al Harrington-- screw that!) And I feel obligated to point out that this is the second straight year that Kevin Ollie has been involved in an important trade at or near the deadline. Last year, of course, he was acquired by the Pacers as part of the trade which also landed us Brad Miller, Ron Artest and Ron Mercer. Jalen Rose and Travis Best (now playing for Miami) wound up in Chicago. One hell of a trade by Donnie Walsh, and I even thought so the day it happened, despite the fact that giving up Jalen was hard for many Pacers fans to accept. Now that Brad, Ron A. and Ron M. have turned out so well, I'm even happier with the trade.

I do not mean to pry, but you wouldn't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?Do you always begin conversations this way?--Inigo Montoya and Westley, The Princess Bride

I was super-excited when I saw the trade, and the three wins and even the Lakers loss have done nothing but make me more excited for the future. I just wish the Sonics had the cap room for Elton Brand.

Also, Mason is a nice player, but without a consistent jump shot he'll only have flashes of brilliance. The games he really blew up were fairly few and far between and they were always a result of him knocking down jumpers.

"I figure that if we can manage to survive through a cross-country drive, marriage can't help but be a snap." - CRZ, the Last RAW Recap"A-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" - me

You know the Cavs have that locked up...oh, wait, they are a Cleveland team. Everyone knows Cleveland is cursed (no major sports titles in 39 years...and counting) so, probability will fail us again and Denver or the Grizz with get the first pick and pick LeBron.

Also, the Cavs are in LeBron's doghouse because of Lucas's firing. The Cavs management (cheap bastards...no, REALLY cheap bastards) said that they are rebuilding but fire the coach after a year and some change after giving him crap to work with.

It's kind of sad because LeBron goes to high school only 37 miles from the Cavs home arena. All of his fam could pack in the Hummer and see every home game.

But that won't matter...the Grizz or the Nuggets will get him.

The Cavs future lies in ping-pong balls...

Peace,-D

"Whether you like it or don't like it, sit down and watch it...because it's the best going today. Whooooo!" -Ric

With one or two games remaining in the regular season, I figure I would post my picks for MVP's and other categories. Rookie of the Year- Blake Griffin. This is a no-brainer and if Blake Griffin played last year, John Wall would have this award.